Grand Council of Fascism

The Grand Council of Fascism was the main body of the government of Fascist Italy from 9 December 1928 to 25 July 1943. Founded in 1923 as the National Fascist Party's congress, the Grand Council became a state body in 1928 under Prime Minister Benito Mussolini, and the Grand Council held almost all of the political power in Italy during the 1930s and 1940s. The original leaders of the council were the quadrumvirs Michele Bianchi, Emilio De Bono, Cesare Maria de Vecchi, and Mussolini, and the council had the power to elect fascist deputies, nominate party leaders, elect the Crown's line of succession, and to choose successors of the Prime Minister. The Grand Council issued a "vote of no confidence" against Mussolini on 25 July 1943 as a result of several military defeats during World War II, with 19 votes prevailing against 8 votes and one abstention. The grand council was dissolved along with the National Fascist Party.